Timber Queensland is partnering with Jobs Queensland to develop a workforce plan and action-based initiatives for the forest and timber industry through a new state government funded ‘Grow Your Own’ program. Source: Timberbiz
In a bid to address the need to attract and retain workers in the Wide Bay region, local stakeholders and industry representatives will work together to identify workforce needs, plan what skills will be required and map how the region and industry can meet the needs of the sector and support the region’s economic goals.
Minister for Employment and Small Business, Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer said the Queensland Government is helping regions to ‘grow their own’ strong workforce – supporting tailored plans which will help regional industries address workforce risks and challenges.
“In Wide Bay, the forestry and timber industry – Queensland’s third most valuable agricultural processing industry – plays an important role, supporting jobs in the Gympie and Maryborough communities,” Mr Farmer said.
“‘Grow Your Own’ will ensure regional industries have the right people, with the right skills, in the right jobs, at the right time.”
Timber Queensland CEO Mick Stephens said the ‘Grow Your Own’ program is industry driven.
“Representatives from employers in the Wide Bay region are meeting regularly to pinpoint and endorse focus areas, assist with gathering information, identify key issues and help find solutions to develop, implement and monitor the regional workforce plan,” Mr Stephens said.
“This group has been working on developing a Wide Bay forestry industry snapshot, a document that provides an analysis of employment and training trends in the Wide Bay region and forestry-related industries.
“Jobs Queensland and Timber Queensland will be hosting a forum in Gympie on 14 November bringing together regional and industry stakeholders to present the findings of the snapshot and facilitate discussion to identify strategies and workforce planning actions to be adopted.”
Mr Stephens said the skills and experience Timber Queensland is gaining from working with Jobs Queensland on the Wide Bay ‘Grow Your Own’ program can be applied in other major forest and timber industry regions in Queensland.
